Russia’s Zakharova: Moscow and Belgrade seeking solution to overcome NIS sanctions

“Under the current circumstances, we and our Serbian partners have to look for a possible solution to overcome the problems deliberately created by the US administration. We are sure that both we and our Serbian friends are sincerely interested in protecting our bilateral cooperation from external interference. As for NIS specifically, we keep working closely with Belgrade to find the best solution,” RIA Novosti quoted Zakharova as saying.

She stressed that the solution will be sought based on the 2008 intergovernmental agreement, taking into account the interests of both Russia and Serbia.

Zakharova added that Moscow has always taken a responsible approach to organizing the operation of NIS and is aware of how much the successful performance of this enterprise matters for Belgrade in every respect, the Russian news agency reported.

According to her, energy remains a key area of Russian-Serbian cooperation.

She said that for decades, Russia has been a reliable supplier of hydrocarbons to Serbia, ensuring the energy stability of this friendly country as an essential condition for its competitive economic progress.

“Previously, it was the efforts of a Russian investor that turned NIS from a loss-making company into a modern and efficient entity of the oil refining sector and the industry’s leader in the Balkans. As a reminder, the privatization of this company was formalized by the 2008 Russian-Serbian intergovernmental agreement, whereas Washington has never had anything to do with the deal,” Zakharova added.

On the morning of October 9, NIS said that US sanctions, previously delayed several times, had taken effect. On Friday, at the initiative of the Serbian board members, an emergency meeting of the NIS board of directors was convened to address business plans operating under sanctions.